“Embrace & Release: The Consent” encourages individuals to list what they wish to set as personal boundaries, empowering them to assertively define their limits. The aim of this toolkit is to educate learners about the concept of consent, and to empower individuals to set clear and healthy boundaries in personal and social interactions.

Content:

1. Embrace: The Concept of Consent.

2. Release: Set Clear Consent.

3. Feedback.

Embrace: The Concept of Consent.

“…the giving of consent is accomplished in and by an intentional act.” (Archard,1997)

It can be hard to give consent sometimes. It might seem easier to hold back or not make a clear choice. However, giving consent makes room for change and new options. While granting consent might not always mean saying goodbye, real closure only comes about when you really do. In some situations, consenting is the end of the story, which is healthy!

• How do people engage with the concept of Consent?

1. Artist Jennifer Rubell’s work ‘Consent‘ practices and explores the theme of consent by having the audience throw pies at her after signing a detailed consent form. This interactive art is designed to provoke discussion about the definition of consent and what it means to physically engage with another person.

“Jennifer Rubell- Consent” at Meredith Rosen Gallery. Photo courtesy of Jason Schmidt.

2. The “Consent Crawl” aims to raise awareness of sexual abuse and establish a “consent culture” by bringing artwork to Seattle’s streets. This event was organized by the #ExposeRape community, an organization that uses public art to fight the culture of rape.

A few dozen people help create pieces of artwork about consent, rape culture and sexual assault during a Community Consent art project at temporary arts space V2, in the former Capitol Hill Value Village, 2016. (Lindsey Wasson/The Seattle Times)

• Think of these questions…

Have you ever been in a situation where you wanted to say “NO” but were afraid to?

Have you ever felt frustrated or confused because you didn’t get the right kind of consent?

How can you ensure that your consent is voluntary, clear, and unambiguous?

What do you think consent can be extended to?

For this toolkit, practice giving consent to things you must cut off, such as negative patterns, ex-romantic partners, self-destructive feelings and actions, constant thoughts, and more.

Rethink the questions above, make a checklist about consent:

You can make it with your phone memo or on a simple paper.

[   ]   I SAY NO to uninvited physical touch.

[   ]   I SAY NO to toxic relationships that drain my energy.

[   ]   I SAY NO to discrimination and injustice in any form.

etc.

You can make it long or short. Save it in your phone memo or notebook will help you keep your boundaries in mind at all times. Additionally, it is very important that you take a moment with each one to officially revoke consent, so you can check anytime you finish one of them. This isn’t a list of your faults and fears, this is an opportunity for you to clearly define your boundaries.

After you’ve finished the process above, please take the Embrace & Release: The Consent Quiz, which should take no more than 3 mins.